The below is taken from Hadith literature Its Origin, Development and Special Features by M. Zubayr Siddiqi:

According to al-Daarimi, whenever any legal case came before Abu Bakr, he looked into the Quran, and decided the case on its basis. If he found no applicable judegement in the Quran he reffered to the usage of the Prophet. If he failed to find it there, he asked the other Companions, and if they informed him of any decision of the Prophet in the matter, he thanked God and decided the case accordingly. But if the Companions were unable to cite any Prophetic precedent, he gathered the leaders of the people; and after they arrived at an agreed decision, he judged accordingly.”

From Rabee’ah al-Aslamee, who said, “I used to serve the Prophet of Allaah, صلى الله عليه وسلم, so he gave me some land and he also gave Abu Bakr some land. So the worldly life came along and we differed concerning a cluster of date palm trees. Abu Bakr said, “It is within the boundary of my land!” And I said, “It is within my boundary.” There were some words exchanged and so Abu Bakr said something to me which I hated and he [immediately] regretted it. So he said to me, “O Rabee’ah! Say the same to me so that it will be even [i.e., you would have taken your right of retaliation, qisaas).” I said, “I will not do that.” Abu Bakr said, “You will indeed say it or I will seek the assistance of the Messenger of Allaah, صلى الله عليه وسلم, against you!” I said, “I am not going to do it.” Abu Bakr, may Allaah be pleased with him, left the land and then went to the Prophet, صلى الله عليه وسلم, and I went following him. Some people from [my tribe of] Aslam came and said, “May Allaah have mercy on Abu Bakr! Why is he going to seek the assistance of the Prophet, صلى الله عليه وسلم, against you, whilst he is the one who said what he said to you?” I said, “Do you know who this is? This is Abu Bakr as-Siddeeq! The second of the two [in the cave], the elder of the Muslims. So beware in case he looks in your direction and sees you trying to aid me and thus becomes angry, and as a result goes to the Prophet of Allaah, صلى الله عليه وسلم, who becomes angry because of his [Abu Bakr’s] anger, and then Allaah becomes angry because of their anger and as a result Rabee’ah will be destroyed!” They said, “What do you order us to do?” I replied, “Go back.” So Abu Bakr, may Allaah be pleased with him, went to the Prophet of Allaah, صلى الله عليه وسلم, and I followed him alone. I did so until he came to the Messenger, صلى الله عليه وسلم, and narrated to him exactly what had happened. So he, صلى الله عليه وسلم, raised his head towards me and then said, “O Rabee’ah! What is [the issue] between yourself and Abu Bakr?” I said, “O Messenger of Allaah! Such and such happened and then he said a word to me which I hated and so he said to me, “Say the same to me so that it will be even.”” So the Prophet of Allaah, صلى الله عليه وسلم, said, “Indeed! Do not say the same to him, rather say, ‘May Allaah forgive you, O Abu Bakr! May Allaah forgive you, O Abu Bakr!’” So Abu Bakr, may Allaah have mercy on him, left while he was crying.”